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"It’s not like that They don’t even knoe’re dating They just know that I’ to be alone for Christmas, and they invited me" They looked at each other and rolled their eyes I couldn’t help but laugh "Yeah, I know I don’t believe it either, but that’s honestly what he see to be checking you out and trying to see why he’s been talking about you," Marcia confirency," Ge the parents in an official girlfriend sense, but you are ood first impression" She disappeared into the closet, then returned with a sood quality but not covered with designer labels"

"I’ve got an overnight bag," I said

"You have a glorified gy Take this Nohat do you know about thee on the Hudson I think they’re rich And he says they’re pretty forot it" She disappeared into the closet again, then returned with an aroing with subdued and classy--nothing too obvious, but definitely not bargain bin or trendy That’s the safest bet forany parents for the first tiifts," I said

Geht I wish I wasn’t leaving town"

"If you weren’t leaving town, this wouldn’t be an issue Don’t worry, I’ll be fine I can shop for myself, you know"

She didn’t look convinced, but Marcia said, "Yeah, Ge, and I spent the rest of the evening listening to Ge off ideas for presents

I was looking forward to soot ho, but I’d barely had time to take my coat off before the interco for Gemma that answered me

"Gemma went home for Christmas today," I told him "Didn’t she tell you?"

There was a pause, then he said, "No, she didn’t May I speak with you?"

This was ic and all, with Philip, so I said, "Come on up," and buzzed him in

He knocked on the door a few seconds later "Would you like some tea?" I asked as I took his coat

"Yes, please," he said He looked exhausted and utterly miserable "When did she leave?" he asked as I put tea and a plate of Christmas cookies in front of him He reflexively stood as I moved to take my seat across from him at the table, then resu the day She’s coht This whole trip was very sudden She just found out about the last-etting ready that I guess she forgot to let you know"

He sighed and bit the head off a gingerbread man I couldn’t help but flinch "Perhaps," he said

"Look, I don’t et into your business, but as youabout what you really are, and I suspect most of your issues with Gemma have to do with that You’re out of your tied a lot, particularly the courtship rituals For exaraved invitations and chaperones aren’t really necessary these days"

"Yes, she made that clear to me"

"We have other ways to communicate," I went on, but before I could start on the wonders of the cellular phone, he pulled a tiny flip-phone model out of his breast pocket It was even fancier than Geured that part out for yourself"

"I suspect she’s feeling neglected," he said, snapping a leg off his gingerbread man "I have been busy, but I can’t explain to her why I’ve been busy"

"What’s keeping you so busy?"

"I’ain my family business An unscrupulous associate of my father’s was the one who enchanted me, and then when my disappearance was never explained and I never returned, he inherited the business uponthe business, and I htfully mine"